Inner West for Refugees, in collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Service, hosted a lunchtime event at Colombo Social restaurant. Attendees heard from two individuals with lived experiences of seeking asylum.

Thanush, a human rights activist, fled Sri Lanka and sought refuge in Australia, enduring indefinite detention, including time on Manus Island. Maggie, a sports journalist, also sought asylum in Australia and has since utilized her skills to advocate for her community's rights.

The event featured interview-style conversations, exploring ways to make a difference in daily lives and highlighting various organizations and opportunities for advancing human rights. Participants left with inspiration and practical ideas for impactful actions.

Colombo Social, a social enterprise, served delicious Sri Lankan and fusion cuisine, providing employment and training opportunities for people seeking asylum.

The event, made possible by the generosity of Club Ashfield, Suzanne Waldron, and Colombo Social, offered a discounted ticket price of $70. Drinks were available for purchase at the venue.

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia, dedicated to advocating for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, supports vulnerable individuals through various programs, including a food bank, case work, employment support, and more.

Suzanne Waldron, a global facilitator, artist, writer, and speaker, emphasizes the importance of building cohesive relationships for progress and fulfillment. Photos were taken for promotional purposes, with attendees given the option to opt out.

'MANUS' is a multi award winning documentary short film that deals with the plight of hundreds of refuges and asylum seekers held captive by the Australian Government on the remote island of Manus in Papua New Guinea.

Register for this exciting event to view the film in your own time (from 7 May) and then participate in the Q&A session with panellists: Angus McDonald (Producer/Director), Olivia Rousset (Journalist/Field producer), Behrouz Boochani (Award winning writer, poet, journalist, and Manus refugee for over six years).

IW4R formally launched with a Community Forum in Leichhardt on 19 October 2019.

The forum focused on the lived experience of people seeking asylum and refugees on Temporary Protection Visas, and gave local community residents a range of activities to get involved, including advocacy letter writing, Breakthrough Conversations training, and providing donations to the nearby Asylum Seekers Centre.